as in detectives
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the popular TV sleuth lives a much more action-packed life than do his real-world counterparts
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Recent Examples of sleuths
Since initial reports, internet sleuths have pieced together Broadway schedules of potential guests, Chiefs training camp dates, radio interviews and venue calendars trying to determine whether the reports are accurate.
—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Groups of amateur sleuths also cropped up in the hollows of tragedy to wrestle with the case and analyze rumors swarming the Horman family in online forums, echoing a familiar pattern of behavior on the internet in the face of long-unsolved criminal cases.
—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
Shortly after her debut on the hit reality series, online sleuths uncovered a video in which Alannah allegedly uses the N-word while singing along to a song.
—
Allison Degrushe,
StyleCaster,
22 June 2026
Already, internet sleuths are uncovering the exact items worn by the characters, and there’s a fan base quickly building for the beauty looks as well.
—
Elle Turner,
Glamour,
18 June 2026
Season 5, which saw our sleuths unraveling the mystery of doorman Lester (Teddy Coluca), was the show's most star-studded yet, with appearances by Renée Zellweger, Richard Kind, and Dianne Wiest, among others.
—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
The Pentagon in May made public large swaths of UFO files with very little context, leaving curious sleuths to piece together their own interpretations.
—
Krysta Fauria,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Unfortunately for would-be sleuths, the former flames were never very vocal about their relationship on social media.
—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
9 June 2026
Last year, there were a few, most notably when online sleuths uncovered past racist clips and posts from two of the Islanders (they were both ultimately kicked off the show mid-season following fan backlash).
—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
Bryan West,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Groups of amateur sleuths also cropped up in the hollows of tragedy to wrestle with the case and analyze rumors swarming the Horman family in online forums, echoing a familiar pattern of behavior on the internet in the face of long-unsolved criminal cases.
—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
Shortly after her debut on the hit reality series, online sleuths uncovered a video in which Alannah allegedly uses the N-word while singing along to a song.
—
Allison Degrushe,
StyleCaster,
22 June 2026
Already, internet sleuths are uncovering the exact items worn by the characters, and there’s a fan base quickly building for the beauty looks as well.
—
Elle Turner,
Glamour,
18 June 2026
Season 5, which saw our sleuths unraveling the mystery of doorman Lester (Teddy Coluca), was the show's most star-studded yet, with appearances by Renée Zellweger, Richard Kind, and Dianne Wiest, among others.
—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
The Pentagon in May made public large swaths of UFO files with very little context, leaving curious sleuths to piece together their own interpretations.
—
Krysta Fauria,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Unfortunately for would-be sleuths, the former flames were never very vocal about their relationship on social media.
—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
9 June 2026
Last year, there were a few, most notably when online sleuths uncovered past racist clips and posts from two of the Islanders (they were both ultimately kicked off the show mid-season following fan backlash).
—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuths
Noun
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Based on witness statements, detectives identified the suspect as 35-year-old Salvador Villalaz, the Sheriff’s Office said.
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The police car, a silver Ford Taurus used by the investigation division, contained two Oakland police homicide detectives who were able to continue their shift after the crash, authorities said.
Noun
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Othram, based in The Woodlands, Texas, specializes in advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy, a method that can help investigators identify suspects or unknown victims when traditional law enforcement databases do not produce a match.
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Police located and arrested the three suspects on June 30, though the investigation remains active as investigators search for any outstanding suspects.
Cite this Entry
“Sleuths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuths. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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